Grace at Mealtime

I was asked about an appropriate form of saying grace. Here are a number of options for those looking not to improvise a prayer at the dinner table. Some are particularly appropriate for children:

From the Book of Common Prayer
Give us grateful hearts, our Father,
for all thy [your] mercies,
and make us mindful of the needs of others;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bless, O Lord, thy [your] gifts to our use
and us to thy [your] service; for Christ's sake. Amen.

Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe,
for you give us food to sustain our lives
and make our hearts glad;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For these and all his mercies,
God's holy Name be blessed and praised;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Other
Bless O Lord this food to our use
and us to thy loving service;
and keep us ever mindful
of the needs of others. Amen.

Bless O Lord, this food to our use,
And us to thy loving service;
And make us ever mindful of the needs of others,
For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Dear Lord, bless this food to
the nourishment of our bodies
and us to thy service.
In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

For what we are about to receive,
may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen

Let us thank God for food when others are hungry;
for drink when others are thirsty;
for friends when others are lonely. Amen.

Be present at our table, Lord!
Be here and everywhere adored.
Your mercies bless, and grant that we
May feast in Paradise with Thee! Amen.

For good food and those who prepare it,
for good friends with whom to share it,
we thank you Lord. Amen.

Bless, O Lord, these gifts to our use and us in your service;
relieve the needs of those in want and give us thankful hearts;
for Christ's sake. Amen.

Grace with Motions
A brief grace with hand motions, as follows:
God bless us (hands on head)
God bless the food (hands around the plate)
Amen (hands folded)

This last one has the advantage of being able to hold the attention of a hungry, antsy 3-year-old for its duration.

Grace used at King of Peace Episcopal Day School
sung
We are thankful, we are thankful.
For our food, for our food.
And our many blessings, and our many blessings.
Amen. Amen.